The range of mass finishing applications is extensive: from rough deburring of metal, ceramics and plastics to high-gloss polishing, and from small precision components to aircraft components several metres long. Walther Trowal’s mass finishing technology offers efficient and cost-effective processes for the treatment of metal workpieces – for
- Cleaning and Degreasing
- Deburring and edge rounding
- smoothing and polishing
Mass finishing – also known as ‘Trowalizing’ – produces precisely the surface properties required for high-quality components. Users benefit from excellent surface finishes, minimal rework times and high cost-effectiveness.
Compared with manual machining, mass finishing technology achieves a high degree of uniformity and reproducibility in surface quality. As the abrasive media glide evenly across the entire surface of the workpieces, the result is a very homogeneous finish … even in hard-to-reach areas – such as internal bores.
Compared with manual machining, mass finishing technology significantly reduces the time required for surface finishing. In some applications, such as the machining of blisks for aircraft engines, this has reduced the process duration from days to just a few hours.
A one-stop shop for all your mass finishing technology needs
A single point of contact
for the entire process
Walther Trowal offers the full range of process technology for modern mass finishing technology: from the machines themselves, through the consumables and component handling, to the treatment of Process water.
- Consistent and reproducible surface quality
- Flexible adaptation to different workpiece shapes and materials
- Easy automation and integration into our customers’ processes
- Energy-efficient and low-maintenance operation
Our vibratory finishing technology is suitable for workpieces made from all common metals and metal alloys; mass finishing is also the process of choice for moulded parts made from rubber, plastics or ceramics. At our TTC Test and Training Centres, we work with our customers to determine the optimal combination of vibratory finishing machines, Abrasive media and Compounds – including process peripherals – for each specific application. Free sample processing
The principle is simple: abrasive media glide over the surfaces and edges of the workpieces, thereby removing material. A common feature of all Mass finishing technologies is that relative movement between the individual components is generated within a mixture of workpieces, abrasive media and an aqueous Compound solution.
This produces the desired surface finish in a targeted manner, which is defined by the type and settings of the mass finishing technology machines, as well as the shape and size of the abrasive media.
Depending on the application of the mass finishing technology, ceramic or plasticabrasive media of various shapes and sizes are used. Here at Walther Trowal, we manufacture them exclusively in our own factories. This ensures that they are precisely tailored to your processes.
Mass finishingcompounds enhance mass finishing performance. They also perform cleaning, degreasing or protection of workpieces from corrosion. Paste and powder compounds are suitable for polishing workpieces and for degreasing. Furthermore, they aid in the removal of scale and rust. We also manufacture these compounds in our own factories.
From the moment the workpieces are placed in the processing tank, the mass finishing process runs automatically – there is no need for human intervention or supervision.
In most processes, the workpieces are processed as bulk material; they are poured into the processing tank or fed into it automatically – no part needs to be handled individually. When processing parts with particularly high unit costs, the workpieces are secured within the tank. Even in such cases, handling is reduced to simply loading and unloading the machine.
The automatic separation of the abrasive media from the workpieces plays a crucial role in the efficiency and safety of the mass finishing technology. It ensures that individual batches do not mix. At Walther Trowal, we also offer a wide range of automation solutions for the handling of workpieces, including their feeding and removal, as well as transfer between machines.
Carl Kurt Walther invented mass finishing in 1931. It is still known today as trowalizing (derived from‘BarrelWalther’). It has its origins in nature: in rivers and streams, sand and water grind coarse chunks of rock until they become smooth, perfectly rounded pebbles.
In modern manufacturing technology, we do exactly the same: using the right combination of machine, abrasive media and Compounds, we fine-tune the vibratory finishing process so that a wide variety of workpieces achieve the desired surface finish. In doing so, our mass finishing technology experts draw on Walther Trowal’s experience spanning almost 100 years.
From deburring and edge rounding to high-gloss polishing, circular vibratory finishing machines are suitable for a wide range of applications. The workpieces are fed in as bulk material.
Larger workpieces are placed loosely in the trough, whilst delicate parts are secured or processed in separate chambers.
Centrifugal finishing systems have a grinding effect around 10 times stronger than that of circular vibratory finishing machines. This enables them to remove even heavy burrs and perform edge rounding precisely.
Continuous processing machines can be integrated very easily into interlinked production processes. The parts are fed into the work container as and when they are produced during the process.
High-quality, delicate, complex-shaped and extremely hard parts that are difficult to machine are clamped in holders and moved through the stationary grinding bed. This enables us to achieve high relative speeds; furthermore, the workpieces do not come into contact with one another.
Barrels and bells are mainly used for fine grinding and polishing, in the optical and precision engineering industries, and for the gentle processing of very small parts, such as coins or jewellery.
We would be happy to advise you personally on your specific application
Your point of contact for mass finishing technology
Our experts in machinery and consumables will find the right solution for your specific application! Please feel free to get in touch directly or use the contact form.
Bruno Andreas Barbeitos Helfrich
H.J. Helfrich Comércio e Equipamentos Lda
h.j.helfrich@sapo.pt
